ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s recent remarks about media, women, and the Punjab Chief Minister faced widespread condemnation on Monday, prompting PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to issue an unconditional apology for the language used by Gandapur at a public meeting the previous day.
Following a walkout by reporters at the National Assembly, Barrister Gohar apologized on the floor of the house after meeting with the protesting journalists. He emphasized that despite the usual good relations between PTI and journalists, the language used by Gandapur was inappropriate, and the party extends its apologies. Gandapur has also reached out to journalists and plans to meet with beat reporters.
Journalists’ organizations, including the National Press Club (NPC), Karachi Press Club (KPC), and Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), strongly condemned Gandapur’s vulgar and offensive remarks against the media, particularly women journalists. The KPC announced that it would boycott Gandapur’s media coverage in Karachi until he apologizes.
The NPC called for Gandapur to clarify his statements and cease making false accusations against the media. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also denounced Gandapur’s derogatory language, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression and the need for respectful discourse.
The Punjab government criticized Gandapur’s remarks, with Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stating that Gandapur had “crossed a line” with his comments. She challenged Gandapur to fulfill his claim of releasing Imran Khan from jail within 15 days, while also addressing his threats against Punjab.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar condemned Gandapur’s abusive language as contrary to Pakhtun cultural values, which traditionally honor women. He suggested that Gandapur’s comments reflect poorly on his upbringing and that only those of short stature would resort to such behavior. Tarar urged the media to take a stand against PTI and assured them of government support if they pursued action against Gandapur and other PTI leaders.
